PREMIER LEAGUE: United make ￡25m offer for Barca’s Cesc Fabregas

AFP, LONDON

Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas controls the ball during a training session at the Joao Havelange Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 28 during the FIFA Confederations Cup. Spain lost to Brazil in the final of the competition on June 30 at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

Photo: AFP

Manchester United have made a ￡25 million (US$37.7 million) offer for Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, reports in the British media suggested on Monday.

Sky Sports News television, the BBC and the Press Association news agency all said that the English Premier League champions were interested in signing the Spain international.

The Press Association said that an offer had been submitted for the player, who came through Barcelona’s youth academy before joining Arsenal as a 16-year-old in 2003.

However, Sky Sports News said a potential stumbling block could be a clause in Fabregas’ contract that Arsenal have first refusal should he decide to leave the Camp Nou.

Barcelona said they had no comment to make when contacted.

If completed, the Fabregas move would represent new Manchester United manager David Moyes’ first major signing since the former Everton boss succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson.

United, who are currently on a pre-season tour of Asia, have the cash to allow Moyes to chase “a stellar player” before the start of the upcoming season, Manchester United chief executive Ed Woodward was quoted as telling British media on Sunday.

Woodward said the Old Trafford club are “absolutely” able to compete for players in the ￡60 million to ￡70million bracket.

News of a potential offer for Fabregas emerged a day after confirmation that Barcelona had sold Spain under-21 captain Thiago Alcantara to European champions Bayern Munich.

Fabregas graduated to become the Gunners’ captain and one of their most influential players, before returning to Barca in a ￡25.4 million, five-year deal in August 2011.

Since then he has helped the Catalan giants claim the Copa del Rey in 2011-2012 and the La Liga title last season.